Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-20 Recreation Committee MinutesFAX: (781) 942 - 5441 FIQK 4 Z RECREATION DIVISION: (781) 942 - 9075 r~ r1 ~ V"qf READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES November 20, 2003 at Birch Meadow Elementary School Attendance: Bernie Winne, Rec. Committee Chair, Claire Bolger, Rec. Committee Member, Vice-Chair, Jack Downing, Recreation Committee Member, Nancy -Linn Swain Rec. Committee Member, Mary Ellen Stolecki, Rec. Committee Member, Rick Shaffer, Rec. Committee Member, Barbara Faso, Rec. Committee Member, Lorraine Salter, Associate Member, Chris Campbell, Associate Member, Mary Ann Kozlowski, School Rep., John Feudo, Recreation Administrator, Guests - John Zorabedian Jr. , Reading United Soccer Club, Jack Webster, Reading T-Ball, David Scali, Pop Warner Football, George Hines, Reading Legion Baseball, Alan Foulds, Reading Women Soccer, Dianne Foulds, Reading Women Soccer, David Lautman, Reading Youth Lacrosse, Charlie Hardy, Reading Youth Lacrosse, Bill Clements, Reading Youth Softball, Dennis Lucyniak, Reading Youth Baseball, David Sample, Reading Babe Ruth. Meeting Called to order at 7:34 PM. The Committee was asked to review the minutes from the October 8t meeting. M. Stolecki made a motion to accept the minutes from September loth . M. Kozlowski seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of acceptance of the October 8t' minutes 5-0-0. B. Faso entered the meeting at 7:35 L. Salter entered the meeting at 7:39 Public Hearing: B. Winne introduced the topic of field fees. Bernie stated that the Committee had been looking at the issue of field fees for almost two years. It had been discussed on numerous occasions and now has become a necessity to move forward with. The Committee looked at a number of methodologies and pricing structures and tried to come up with a solution that not only was an equitable one but one that met the financial needs for the Reading Recreation Division. The proposal that was to be discussed was moving to a per capita system per season set at $10. B. Winne opened up the floor for public discussion. D. Sample asked if the change was to remain status quo or would the revenue go toward better fields. B. Winne stated that the number established would primary go toward the current deficit the Recreation Division is currently in. B. Winne stated there has been some discussion about potentially adding another seasonal helper to the DPW staff, but no final decision had been made. D. Sample stated if this is something that keeps the Division running the increase is something Babe Ruth could live with. Town of Reading 16 Lowell Street Reading, MA 01867-2685 READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CON'T Jack Downing entered the meeting at 7:45 PM. J. Zorabedian stated that the impact on RUSC would approximately 4 times what they were already paying. J. Webster asked what the other methods were considered when making the decision. B. Winne stated that the Committee looked at a tiered system, adult vs. youth system, for profit vs. non- profit system, per hour system at various different prices. Some were not feasible to administrate with a small staff. J. Webster felt that it was not fair that he was only using "one field" for 500 kids and other organizations were getting three fields for 150 kids. C. Hardy stated the effect on Lacrosse would be about three times what they were currently paying. G. Hines stated he felt that organizations that were for profit should be treated differently than those that are not for profit. D. Lucyniak stated that RYB has not increased its fees for the past few years. It will have to do so if the increase is passed. D. Lautman stated that he felt there should be some type of way to fundraise to help subsidize the field fees. He stated that this was the first time each of these organizations were in the same place, maybe a fundraising group could be put together. D. Lautman volunteered to head the group. J. Feudo stated that everyone thinks the grass is greener on the other side. Baseball often feels that lacrosse and soccer get better fields and vice-versa. Everybody has the same concerns. The question was raised on how the clinics are charged for field space. J. Feudo stated that the Town take %16 percent of the gross revenue for the program and that covers that the fee for field rental. B. Winne stated that he wanted to take a recess and the committee would convene after a few minutes. He thanked all organizations for coming. NEW BUSINESS J. Feudo introduced Horsemanship from T.H.E. Farm in Tewksbury, Ma. They are able to provide the items necessary to program with the Reading Recreation Division. L. Salter asked if they offered any programming for disabled or autistic children. J. Feudo stated he did not know, but would find out. The committee asked a few other questions surrounding the structure of the program. C. Bolger made a motion to accept the Horsemanship Program from T.H.E. Farm as proposed. M. Stolecki seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of accepting the Horsemanship Program from T.H.E. Farm as proposed 8-0-0. e`r READING RECREATION COMNUTTEE MINUTES CON'T R. Shaffer asked had a few questions about the memo from Selectman George Hines regarding the use of Memorial Park. B. Winne stated that he would be in contact via mail with Mr. Hines to clarify some questions. OLD BUSINESS The issue of Indemnification of insurance was table from the October meeting. J. Feudo asked the Committee to share there thoughts on offering an Indemnification of Insurance and Worker's Comp to those contractors who are small, but would like to offer a program to the Division. As mentioned in previous meetings, this would give the division some flexibility and ability to add classes. J. Feudo stated that he heard back from Town Counsel and stated that were more comfortable having reviewed and reworked the Indemnification that J. Feudo had forwarded to them from Winchester Rec.. R. Shaffer suggested putting the contractor on payroll. J. Feudo stated the Town does not typically like to put people on payroll that are supposed to be contractor. J. Downing stated he was a little uncomfortable allowing anyone to program with the Reading Recreation Division without an insurance policy. The Committee discussed three major areas in which should be looked at as criterion to be eligible for the Indemnification: 1) The Activity should be non-contact 2) The program should avoid physical injury 3) The Contractor should be the sole-proprietor of the program M. Stolecki made a motion to allow the Recreation Administrator to investigate further with the support of the Recreation Committee the possibility of using in an indemnification provided that the criterions of The Activity should be non-contact, The program should avoid physical injury, The Contractor should be the sole-proprietor of the program. B. Faso seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of allowing the Recreation Administrator to investigate further with the support of the Recreation Committee the possibility of using in an indemnification provided that the criterions of The Activity should be non-contact, The program should avoid physical injury, The Contractor should be the sole-proprietor of the program 7-1-0. J. Feudo presented a proposal from Julie Briggs to teach piano and keyboard classes. J. Feudo stated that he spoke to the Burlington Recreation Department as a reference to Julie and he stated that the response was positive. The program is run out of Julie's house. C. Bolger asked if there were other people in the house during the lessons. J. Feudo stated he would find out. L. Salter asked how the kids were grouped and if there was enough equipment to go around. J. Feudo stated that Julie sets up a number of stations in her living room for the kids to play. He stated he would find out exactly how it is set up. The Committee felt they would like to see some references checked of those people that have taken this class in Burlington. J. Feudo stated he would check 2 or 3 more references. `11~, READING RECREATION COMMITTEE MINUTES J. Feudo handed out a memo to from Town Manager, Peter Hechenbleikner regarding several Recreation Items. The Committee discussed the idea of not filling Castine Field. The Committee decided to hold a public hearing on Dec. 10th to discuss the possibility. L. Salter suggested inviting a Representative from the DPW. J. Feudo asked the committee if it would be O.K. to table discussion on the shed at the softball field until the December Recreation Meeting. The Committee agreed. Topic Tabled until December. Next the Recreation Committee discussed the public hearing on Field Fees. B. Winne stated that it would now be appropriate for the committee to either stick with the current proposal or change it. R. Shaffer stated that it seemed most of the organizations seemed to understand why the fee change was necessary and some even stated they could live with it. He felt it was important for the organizations to see something in return. J. Feudo stated he felt a $8 per head rate to groups that fundraise and $10 to groups that do not fund raise maybe appropriate. Have a portion go to fields and a portion remains with the organization. The committee seemed to like the idea but felt that there was not enough lead-time to set that up for this year. The Committee felt that the organizations made a lot of good points but to change the methodology at this point would be unfair. The Committee felt the organizations at least have somewhat prepared for the proposed change. Any type of change could increase the payment - for some and decrease the payment for others. C. Bolger made a motion to accept the proposal of field fees as proposed for per capita per season at $10 per player. M. Stolecki seconded the motion. R. Shaffer suggested amending to the proposal to have it only for one year (2004) and reevaluate it in the Fall of 2004. Motion passes in favor of accepting the proposal of field fees as proposed for per capita per season at $10 per player for 2004 as amended 8-0-0. C. Bolger made a motion to adjourn the meeting. M. Stolecki seconded the motion. Motion passes in favor of adjourning the meeting 8-0-0. Meeting Adjourned at 10:40 PM. Respectfully Submitted by: 0 Recreati Ad inistrator